To say the move is a big deal for both Apple and China Mobile is an understatement. Despite chasing China Mobile and its subscriber base for years, Apple hasn’t had much luck with reaching a deal. China Mobile, too, has suffered without the iPhone as its most valuable customers have fled to its iPhone-carrying competitors.

The deal, then, is a win-win for both sides:China Mobile uses the iPhone to help launch its new LTE services and Apple — well, it gets access to all those subscribers, which potentially gives its international sales a big boost.